FOX HOSPITAL

The body of an 80-year-old Virginia man who was the subject of a search by local police this week was recovered Friday in the Eastern Shore area of Virginia. Authorities said the death is being investigated as an apparent suicide. The man, Robert C. Merkel Sr. of Chesapeake, Va., had been last seen on Monday and investigators said there were indications he may have been in the West End of Oneonta last week. Items that may have belonged to Merkel were located Saturday at the Valero convenience store in the West End.

State Senator Jim Seward will be at Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta today. Senator Seward will be joined by Fox Hospital President John Remillard to announce legislative funding to assist with a major renovation project at the hospital.

Former Governor Elliot Spitzer, who resigned five years ago as a result of a prostitution scandal, is looking to resume his political career this fall. Spitzer will seek to get on the ballot in the race for New York City comptroller. Spitzer would have to collect some 3,700 signatures by Thursday to get his name on the ballot, where he would face Manhattan Borough President and fellow Democrat Scott Stringer.

A car crash at the intersection of County Routes 36 and 37 in Guilford has left one person dead. State Police were on scene at around 5 p.m. Friday, along with multiple fire and ambulance teams. Troopers confirm that one person was killed. State Police are still investigating, and have not released the victim’s name.

The Chenango county sheriffs department arrested 25-year-old Coy Biviano of North Norwich, and 24-year-old Christopher Bonno of Sherburne, on charges of conspiracy & petty larceny.
The 2 are accused of stealing a laptop from a Norwich resident, Biviano and Bonno were arraigned in the Town of Norwich court and were both remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $10,000.00 bail.

The Chenango County Sheriffs Department arrested 37-year-old Harry Donnely of Sherburne on a charge of 2nd degree aggravated harassment. Donnelly is accused of harassing and threatening the victim by phone. He was arraigned in the Town of Norwich Court and was released on his own recognizance.

Binghamton Troopers arrested Alexander G. Griffin, 25, of Bainbridge, NY for Criminal Possession of a Weapon With Intent to Use and Menacing 2nd. The arrest resulted from the report of a road rage incident July 4th on Interstate 88 in Colesville. Mr. Griffin was arraigned at the Town of Colesville Court and remanded to the Broome County Jail without bail.

The American Red Cross has spent the past few days distributing supplies to victims of recent flooding. Bulk distribution sites were set up in Herkimer, Sherburne, and Oneida Counties. Hundreds of families picked up hot food, medical supplies and cleaning supplies. If you would like to donate to the Red Cross, you can visit their website at Redcross.org or call them at 1-800-Red-Cross.

A former Binghamton landmark has been destroyed by fire. Flames engulfed an empty warehouse at 115 Montgomery Street last night, with firefighters still on the scene this morning. The building once house Pa’s Woodshed and a series of clubs, it had been vacant for several years. Investigators will try to determine what caused the fire shortly.

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The Oneonta Common Council hired a police officer Anthony Capristo at last night’s meeting at city hall. The council also approved 4th ward alderman Michael Lynch to be acting mayor, and approved members of boards and commissions at last nights meeting, the first meeting of 2013.

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The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was passed by Congress and signed by the President, extending deadlines for Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) through December 2013. The legislation allows the program to continue the same, as before, more information is available at labor.ny.gov.

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Oneonta city police charged 22-year-old Marissa Hetzel with 2nd degree vehicular assault, leaving the scene of a person injury accident & DWI and several lesser charges, following the report of a bicyclist being hit by a vehicle Tuesday morning on the Lettis Highway. Police reported that the unidentified bicyclist suffered multiple fractures, severe head and chest trauma, and was taken first to Fox Hospital and later to Bassett hospital in Cooperstown for emergency surgery. Hetzel was arraigned in Oneonta City Court and was released on $2,500 bail, pending re-appearance in court at a later date.

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Oneonta police arrested an area woman on charges of DWI early Tuesday morning. 44-year-old Lisa Sperry of Oneonta was charged following an investigation into a property damage accident in the Clinton Plaza parking lot off of Main Street. Sperry faces court action at a later date.

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The Delaware valley humane society is in need of bedding for the many animals currently house at the site on east Main Street in Sidney. Karen Crawford at the humane society explains:

(Karen Crawford 1-3-13)

Those who would like more information about the humane society’s needs, or the adoption process for the many animals there, can call 563-7780.

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Some local high school athletes have reached elite status this year, being tabbed with “All State” honors. Unatego’s Tyler Butler earned first team honors for his play at Safety, second team honors went to Nate McDonald of Sidney, Jake Mazzarella of Bainbridge-Guilford and Mike Beers of Walton. Third team honors went to Brandon Walters of Sidney; honorable mention went to Sidney’s Austin Dean and UV’s Kody Homann.

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Attorney General Eric Schneiderman today announced that his office has posted information online detailing charitable donations raised for Hurricane Sandy relief. The 88 charities that have responded to the survey reported raising approximately $400 million for Hurricane Sandy relief. The five charities reporting the most contributions and pledges are the American red cross at 188 million, the robin hood foundation at 67 million, The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City at 45 million dollars, the empire state relief fund at 15.4 million and the salvation army at 14.3 million. More information is available at charitiesnys.com.

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Blood supplies are very low traditionally following the holidays and this year is no exception. A red cross blood drive is being held at Chenango memorial hospital’s basement conference room in Norwich on Monday January 7th from 10:30 to 3:30 PM, appointments care requested at 337-4028 or 337-4093, walk-ins are also welcome.